The Green Bay City Council’s Finance Committee wants a full accounting of the costs and benefits a $9 million outdoor stadium would have on taxpayers before they consider funding it.

On Tuesday evening, Aldermen Guy Zima and Tom Sladek rejected Alderman Andy Nicholson’s motion to deny the project east of Broadway and north of Mason Street because it would require city funding.

Instead, they voted 2-1 to request Big Top Baseball, owner of the Green Bay Bullfrogs, bring its business plan for operating and programming the proposed venue to the committee’s next meeting. They also asked city staff for the full cost of the project, including nearby infrastructure improvements, and the potential tax base growth the project could spur on the south end of Broadway.

“There’s a very mixed review of the project out in the community,” Zima said. “You have to do what the people want and that’s why we have to get firm numbers. … I’m looking beyond the (stadium site) at what you envision could go on to the north, south and west. Go forward and please bring us firm figures.”

Big Top Baseball Chief Operating Officer Conor Caloia said the organization would contribute $1 million up-front to the project and another $4 million over the next 20 years. The city would have to come up with $8 million through a combination of excess stadium tax, borrowing and grants.

Who would pay for new Bullfrogs stadium?

Sladek said he wants city staff to factor in the cost to build sidewalks and other infrastructure the stadium would need to come up with a total cost to the city. He also said he needs to be convinced that nearby redevelopment projects would expand the tax base in the area.

“I need something to cause me to feel confident that doing this will launch the (area),” he said. “If I know this is a catalyst to get other acreage in the area generating tax revenue, I get a lot more excited about it.”